Another Month…. Another Sled Ornament!!

The stitching for my Sled of Month project is done and it is so cute! This is from the Lizzie*Kate Snippet called Sled Dudes. I personally think this sweetie looks more like a dog than a polar bear, either way …. so cute!

I was surprised while I was stitching this that the substitution from overdyes to DMC were different than the other Snippet sled charts. I suppose it goes to the varied colors from the overdyes and it is safe to say that from one dyelot to the next they sometimes look completely different. In all fairness that also happens with DMC but is more subtle, I do prefer DMC.

I used the recommended substitutions and stitched with DMC using 3 strands on 14 count perforated paper. The stitch count for this series is 17×30.

The AT-AT from Lego is looking good with the leg sections attached and almost complete. This is truly a project that is for display only, the connectors on the legs are minimal and a bit unstable. But…. it looks fabulous!!

There are others cross stitch projects that got attention this past week but I’m waiting to post pictures until they are a little further along.

The resource center purge continues with fabric…. lots and lots of cotton for quilting. If you are an ebay person take a look at my stuff by searching my ebay id JBF.

Happy Memorial Day! Stay safe.

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No Finishes, Many Stitches, Many Bricks

It’s always fun to post a finish but I have not finished anything.

The Houses of Hawk Run Hollow is seeing great progress with the construction of house number 2 (technically house 3 on the pattern) about 1/3 complete. The bottom portion has a quilty/diamond pattern and is full coverage so that means lots of stitches. I am using pattern keeper and that keeps track of my stitch count, total completed so far is 2,469. Since I imported the pattern as a picture, not all of the pattern keeper functions are available. That means I don’t know the total number of stitches needed to finish, my guess is there are about 6,000 total.

Houses of Hawk Run Hollow
Stitching on 40 count, 1×2 DMC

This week was a project switch from Houses of Hawk Run Hollow to Country Living. Country Living is based on artwork by Ilona Steelhammer and appeared in Cross Stitch and Country Crafts in Nov/Dec 1988. It has waited long enough.

I am stitching using a mystery fabric that I found in my resource center, it is a 30 count and probably Murano since it is definitely a blend and has a very soft hand. Not my favorite since I have to pay more attention to my tension but the size and color are perfect. I am stitching 2 over 2 with DMC.

905 is the total number of stitches I have completed and I estimate the entire project to be between 7,000 and 7,500 stitches. We shall see!

Country Living by Ilona Steelhammer for CS&CC 1988

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My last project to post about is my Lego!! The AT-AT is coming along nicely. I am working on the feet and expect to finish those today. Next will be the bottom portion of the legs. The large finished section in the photo is actually on it’s back with the upper section of the legs pointing up.

And now back to stitching, building and having a very Happy Mother’s Day!

When A Small Idea Is A Great Idea

This year I am keeping track of my stitching by using Pattern Keeper and old fashioned paper and pencil. Historically, I have never been able to stay on task for very long with my projects. I am a serial planner, great at getting a project ready and not so great at getting it started let alone getting it finished.

One of my goals this year is to stitch one sled ornament each month. It’s only April, and I have to say it hasn’t been easy to convince myself to switch projects and get them done. But I have been able to stitch four sleds this year and it is fantastic to have a finish regardless of the small size.

This is my April sled, it is from Lizzie*Kate called Night Before Christmas Sleds. I might try to find a smaller star before I mount it on the sled. I did manage to mix up some of the reds and did not even try to rip and restitch. My brain seems to translate “+” and “x” as the same symbol. Oh well, maybe it will be a lesson learned.

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This week I started building a new Lego. This is my small start on the Lego Star Wars AT-AT.

Picture is from Lego.com

This is my start……

Stop laughing.

So far, it’s a fun build that will entertain me for months.

May the force be with you!

Stitching a House & Expanding the Fleet

The Houses of Hawk Run Hollow has one finished house! This is the box 4 house. I started it on March 6 and finished April 14. There are 6,005 total stitches — 5,641 stitches in the box, and an additional 364 for the border.

I plan to get some stitches in on the Slytherin banner, Dutch Beauty, and a sled ornament before I start another house on the Hawk Run piece. If each house takes about 5 weeks (not exclusive stitching), then finishing four blocks this year is realistic. I guess I’ll find out!

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Another fun project that I finished was an addition to my Star Wars fleet. This is the Mandorlian N-1 Starfighter complete with fun minifigs including Din Djarin, Peli Motto, Grogu, and a BD Droid.

Back to stitching…. or building.

Sled Stitching & Lego Haunted Mansion – Finished

It was a week of cuteness!

This adorable cross stitch is one of the Sled Christmas ornaments designed by Lizzie*Kate. The sleds are a pretty quick stitch at 446 stitches each. This one is The Cocoa Sled from the leaflet called Peppermint Sleds #S128.

Another finish is the Lego Mini Disney Haunted Mansion. This is kit #40521, it has 680 pieces and only 5 stickers. I put a ruler in the picture to better show the size … so cute!

Dutch Beauty also finally go some attention after 24 years, only 200 stitches but at least it is progress. I will be making an effort to get in some stitches every month.

Although the majority of my stitching time was spent with Houses of Hawk Run Hollow, I don’t plan to post another photo until I complete one block. Each block doesn’t seem all that big with a stitch count of 92 x 92 until you stitch away and realize that you have put in 2,800 stitches are maybe about half done.

Hope your spring is off to a great start, stay warm and dry!

More Legos, More Stitching

Another Lego finish! This is the Darth Vader Helmet, Lego kit #75304. Fun build, and for me (the super slow stitcher and builder) pretty quick – I spent about 5 days on the build. If you build this non stop it would probably take a few hours.

Darth Vader Helmet, Lego kit #75304

After making a small Lego Easter egg, I started the Haunted Mansion, Lego kit #40521. So cute and fun! I will pull out my “workstation” and get back to it this weekend.

Lego Disney Haunted Mansion, Lego Kit #40521

Stitching has been spent with Houses Of Hawk Run Hollow. I’m glad that I decided to go with DMC, with the size and the amount of handling as I stitch, it will definitely need a bath when it is done. Oh! When will it be done?? Currently, I’m planning for 2025, haha.

Houses of Hawk Run Hollow – House #4

At the start of next week, I promised one of my oldest WIP’s an appearance. Dutch Beauty, is a reproduction sampler from Permin of Copenhagen that I started in about 1999. It has not been in my hands to stitch since then. It is largest sampler I have ever worked on, it is 630 x 390 stitches. I am stitching on 40 count cream linen using DMC, one over two. Hope I finish in this lifetime!!

Dutch Beauty by Permin of Copenhagen

This will give an idea of the sheer size…. I have circled the area where I have stitched.

eBay sales continue with the end of listings of Bucilla kits and concentrating on quilt kits, quilting fabric and needlepoint canvases. You can find my listings under my eBay id JBF.

Until next week, keep stitching, building or whatever makes you smile.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

Fun facts: 

St. Patrick was British (not Irish) and is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. 

Blue is the color of St. Patrick.

St. Patrick used the shamrock as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity.

On to stitching….  I started a small project to fit into a stitching prompt that is turning into a fun stitch – it’s even green! This is going to be a bookmark, or at least bookmark sized.  The design is part of the Slytherin banner from “Letters From Hogwarts” by Cunning Cross Stitch.  I’m using 32 count lugana and DMC, stitching 2 over 2.

Slytherin Banner from Cunning Cross Stitch

I also started a new Lego, the Darth Vader helmet.  Seems I’m hanging out on the dark side, but just for the record, I’m a proud Hufflepuff!

Darth Vader from Lego

Last, I am making progress on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow. This is house #4, I hope to be able to finish one house or block every couple of months, and that way, I should still be able to do one sled each month and other projects!

Houses of Hawk Run Hollow, House #4

Stay safe. Remember to have a designated driver or service if you will be drinking quanties of green beer.

Time Flies – Welcome 2023!!

It has been a busy start to 2023 filled with stitching, Legos and eBay.

My stitching goal is to get in 100 stitches every day. I have completed the stitching on two Lizzie Kate Sleds and one of the small samplers from Ewe & Eye & Friends.

The sleds were from two different Snippet charts. The Santa came from Night Before Christmas and the peppermint is from Peppermint Sleds. They were stitched on 14 count antique brown perforated paper using 3 strands DMC over one.

The small sampler, Peacock Spot Sampler, was stitched on 36 count linen using one strand of Anchor over two giving a lighter look. The sampler was a kit and with most kits from EEF they use one strand regardless of count. With most of my EEF kits I have switched the floss and stitched 2 over 2 since I like the coverage better, you can see it from across the room.

One of my bigger projects of 2023 is Houses Of Hawk Run Hollow and I have complete the grid and am just beginning house #4.

This gives an idea of the size. Most of the house blocks are 92 x 92 stitches. Blocks 1,5, and 9 are slightly smaller with 90 x 92 stitches. I am stitching on 40 count linen using one strand of DMC over 2. I am stitching in hand, it was mounted on a scroll frame for a short while but I decided it needed to be more portable.

Another activity has been building Legos. This is Lego kit# 75308, R2D2. It was the most clever use of bricks of any build so far.

The vast majority of my time has been spent trying to get my resource center under control. I have sold many of my Bucilla kits, bead and sequin kits and am getting a good start on my quilt kits and some of my needlepoint canvases. It takes so much longer than you would imagine!! At this rate I will still be working on this for another year since I have promised myself that I won’t list more than 12 items a week.

That’s it! I will try to get back to posting each week.

Sled Ornament Finishes & The 2023 Project List

The Sled Ornaments are absolutely adorable. I finished 5 in total (you have already seen the penguin but he wanted to be in the photo). The penguin, red house and snowman are from the same leaflet, Snowy Sleds. The pink house is from Home for the Holidays and the mouse is from the Night Before Christmas. All of the patterns are by Lizzie Kate.

Another lesson learned is …. when you are mounting the cross stitch, after you have applied the stitchers tape, be sure cut the paper close to the edge rather than down the middle of the holes. It will give the ornament a little more of a polished finish and keep the tape from reflecting through the holes.

The 2023 List – with pictures!

Snippets Sled Ornaments by Lizzie Kate – wip

A Dutch Beauty Sampler by Permin – wip

Margaret Gibson Sampler by Scarlet Letter – wip

Houses of Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House – new

Mill Hill variety – new

Rhode Island Reds from Cross Stitch and Country Crafts – new

Monday Meddler from Cross Stitch and Country Crafts – wip

Let Freedom Ring by Lila’s Studio – new

Country Living from Cross Stitch and Country Crafts – new

Colonial Windowbox from Hearts Content – wip

Birthday Wish by Ewe & Eye & Friends – wip

Teddy Bear Stocking by TS – wip

Elephant by TS – wip

Creation Series – Day One by Erhman – new

Poseidon’s Star by Genny Morrow – new

Beaded Scissors Tassels by Ruthmarie Hofman – new

No Sew Quilt Ornaments by Pattern Please – new

Rolling Ripple Baby Afghan by Mary Maxim – wip

 

R2D2 by Lego – wip

Dumbledore’s Office by Lego – new

Titanic by Lego – new

Additional ships for my fleet by Lego – new – pics to come.

There is not a doubt that the list will be changed up as the year progresses. There are Christmas Legos that are not on the list and cross stitch wips that are missing, oh well!

On to 2023 ……

Stay safe, wear a mask and get your vaccines!

Happy New Year!!

The Project List 2023

It is time for my annual project list!

Historically, I actually complete some of the projects on my list. Year 2022 was pretty much a mess and the list was completely abandoned. I have not looked back at it and don’t plan to do so. On to 2023…….

The List – 2023

Cross Stitch Projects
Snippets Sled Ornaments by Lizzie Kate – wip
A Dutch Beauty Sampler by Permin – wip
Margaret Gibson Sampler by Scarlet Letter – wip
Houses of Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House – new
Mill Hill variety – new
Let Freedom Ring by Lilas Studio – new

Needlepoint Projects
Teddy Bear Stocking by TS – wip
Elephant by TS – wip
Creation Series – Day One by Erhman – new
Poseidon’s Star by Genny Morrow – new

Other
Scissor Tassels by Ruthmarie Hofman – new
No Sew Quilt Ornaments by Pattern Please – new
Rolling Ripple Baby Afghan by Mary Maxim – wip & new
R2D2 by Lego – wip
Additional ships for my fleet by Lego – new
Dumbledore’s Office by Lego – new
Titanic by Lego – new

At the moment, I am working on another sled ornament and hope to get at least 2 done before Christmas. I also found some cute beaded icicle ornament kits that I will open this week.

I will be starting my ebay auctions again this week, I still have a lot of Bucilla kits, Dimensions needlepoint kits are almost gone, plastic canvas is almost gone, there are about a dozen sequin and bead kits to be listed, and I will also be adding DMC floss lots weekly. You can find me under the user id: jbf.

Hope the Holiday Season is wonderful!

Stay safe, wear a mask and make sure your vaccines are up to date!